Why are owners against polishing during service?

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by garyk

I could not wait to have RSC polish my 116528 from 2000. First service ever and they did a superb job imo…it’s a new watch again!




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This was an excellent result indeed.

[paxjedi]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I have read on several threads owners specifically request no polishing. Now, I have seen cases that are “over-polished” and boy do they look awful, but if you send your watch in every, say, seven years or so, and trust that the service center knows what they are doing and will not polish the metal down to molecule level, why don’t people want a freshly-polished, new-looking watch?

Whenever I have sent my watches in to the service center it has received a standard polish and looked fantastic, I liked how new it looked. I am not one of those that fear scratches, I wear my watch and daily dings or scratches are part of wearing and enjoying it, but I definitely like the way it looks if polished correctly and not too often.

I am not judging, just trying to understand?

The answer is quite simple:
Different kinds of people make up a world.

Red vs White wine
Silver vs Gold
MB vs BMW
Harley vs Triumph
West Coast vs East Coast
Blonde vs Brunette
Ferrari vs Lambo
Mtn bike vs Road bike
Taylor guitar vs Martin guitars
Fender vs Gibson

(should I continue?)

... oh Polish vs Unpolish






.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Incroyable12

If you've ever seen 20 and 30 year old gold Day-Dates you'll know why.

26 years and polished, I like it when they come back from service looking brand new ready for another decade of use

[allen993]

Originally Posted by edisonstar23

I take great care of them by wearing them only when I know im not going to put dents/scratches on them. When doing house work, working out, yard work, park I wear a G Shock. Some ppl can careless about scratches and dents and would even frown upon ppl taking care of their stuff. However that’s not for me, I can’t stand a beat up watch.

Same. Unlike some...I don't see it as some "badge of honor" to bang my watch around for the hell of it...or take the attitude "I'm too busy or focused to be worried about scratching my watch". I don't worry about banging up my watch...but I also don't go out of my way to prove some ridiculous point. Oh, and I also don't set hammers, drills, screwdrivers, etc. on the hood of my car. I work hard for the money I use to buy nice things, I take good care of my stuff, and I'm not shamed to say so!

[Mystro]

Perhaps these anti polish people also refuse to paint the inside of their houses as it makes the rooms smaller???

If done properly, you can spot polish scratches out of the watch and bracelet yourself and then the routine polishing is not nearly as drastic.

I let Rikki service my Bluesy for first service in 15 years and only a lite polish was required because I do my own bi-yearly polishing and keep my watches looking pretty clean all the time.

Even after all my micro polishing over the years and a full routine polish my lines of the case and bracelet are razor sharp as new.

[CarlOver]

Always an interesting discussion. I think the worry is not about polishing itself, it’s a poor polishing job that rounds the corners and then the TRF members tell the person it looks horrible and that they never should have had it polished and its devalued….If there was consistency in the polishing I think many would be more likely to polish. Padi’s SD looks very nice for 3 polishing jobs over decades but I haven’t seen it in person. Crisp edges is something that most would want. Yesterday we have seen photos here of watches that have been submitted to less than ideal polishing and some say they look great. Clearly the quality of the outcome is in the hands of the polisher.

[daveswordfish]

I think the desire for a new looking piece needs to be balanced against two things. First, will the polishing be done correctly, such that correct proportions, brushing, and edges are maintained? Second, is the watch being polished too often, given that each polish removes material from the watch.

One thing to consider is leaving the case alone, but refinishing/replacing the bracelet, and replacing the bezel and crystal if they are scratched. Scratches on the case itself aren’t very noticeable on the wrist and if everything else looks minty, you’d be good to go without altering the case. I advised a friend with a beat up Tiffany Sub to do this and the results were spectacular, even though the case wasn’t touched.

In the end, polishing is fine, just have it done by a pro and don’t do it too often. Once every ten years, when done correctly, should be fine.


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[marc12]

i will not polish mine until i am ready to hand it down to my son..on my deathbed. then he can polish it hahahaha

[Ravager135]

Everyone nowadays thinks the Submariner Date that they are sitting on (that thousands of other people own) is going to be a rare collectors item someday and that a routine polish is going to devalue it. If you actually wear and care about your watches, it really doesn't matter because you aren't going to be reselling a mass produced wristwatch years from now. When I send my watches in for a 10 year service (I've sent two now since I started collecting), I always authorize a light polish. I have yet to be disappointed by an RSC technician.

[jets]

TLDR; I think that if a skilled watch maker at RSC did the Polish at time of service there is no problem. Further, where we are now in that it is perceived as a negative is due to the history of unskilled people over polishing and ’ruining’ watches.

Let me know if I’m off base here.


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[ArtNouveau]

Gotta throw this out there too…it’s a given that the resellers here touch up the newer watches they’re selling, anyone thinking otherwise is naive.
I’ve also browsed in a few very well known vintage watch dealers and see the same thing. The watches are generally not factory perfect but no way they all look as good as they do without some refurbishing.

[MHB]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

Gotta throw this out there too…it’s a given that the resellers here touch up the newer watches they’re selling, anyone thinking otherwise is naive.
I’ve also browsed in a few very well known vintage watch dealers and see the same thing. The watches are generally not factory perfect but no way they all look as good as they do without some refurbishing.

This. It should be a personal choice, and if done right, should not devalue the watch.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

I don’t see the point because the watch will look the same in 12 months again and scratches don’t bother me much. The shape of the lugs, case, etc are more important to me than a few light scratches.

Maybe if I put a massive ding on a watch I’d polish it.

100% how I see it as well

[TheWatchmen]

Originally Posted by joli160

26 years and polished, I like it when they come back from service looking brand new ready for another decade of use

Looks great, and the polish made it look new again.

[flyboyyy]

I would say there is a huge difference in the term "polish" in regards to context. A competent tech at a good RSC can do a remarkable job cleaning up a clasp, CPL's, case sides, crown guards, and even brushing without it being noticeable or removing massive amounts of metal.

Conversely, there are a ton of hacks (mainly used by resellers who frequently give them a very hard, very quick polish akin to a lipstick job just to make them sparkly). They remove enough metal to grind out any possible scratch or ding. Sadly, it often looks terrible. These are typically easily identified by massive amounts of metal removal in the lug area or crown guards.

A good polish or "cleanup" job done by a good tech is almost un-noticeable...so I like having that done once a decade or so. I would never allow what would be needed to remove every mark on my daily, because it'd remove too much metal.

[el3ctronick]

personally I don't find a reason to polish any of my watches as they are going to look scratched again in no time. no point to make the metals thinner and then after some wearing the watch to look scratched again...

[Jackie Daytona]

I’m pro routine polish. The watches aren’t being resold, I don’t baby them, so why not fix the bits I’ve scratched and dented gradually through the decades. I’ll do it again sure, but just like routine maintenance on everything. Everything used regularly needs a touch up every now and then. The case and bracelet really just exist to house the movement and dial and keep it on your wrist which are the important bits. Worst comes to worst if it bothers me it can be brought to a specialist and back to new to start the abuse again.

[Navin Johnson]

For me it depends on the type of watch and, of course, how bad the scratches are. I think a polishing every 10-15 years would be agreeable in most cases.

[Ferdelious]

If I ever want my watches polished they are not going to an RSC. They will go to Rolliworks or LA Watchworks. I've seen too many hack jobs from RSC. Not saying all the Rolex techs are bad but still not taking that risk.

[Azadwatches]

I personally never been a fan of polishing. I believe its a part of the history of the watch. And who ever buys your watch if you decide to sell have an easier time deciding to polish or not if your watch is on touched. I always look for un polished watches when I look at the second hand market. Cheers!

[CaveDweller]

To the OP, depends on who you trust. To give you an example, Datejust, 1988, had it since new and it’s gone through the wars. 30 years later, and the lugs are “not what they used to be”

Cue last service, with a well known watch maker. I told him he could give it a quick once over if he wished, but please leave the heavier dinks alone

My watch is now instantly recognisable (without the loup) – by the flat spot on the chamfer (cheers pal)

He just couldn’t resist it …..

[GradyPhilpott]

I don't want my watches polished at service as a matter of course, because I see signs of wear as being unavoidable and that it's just a never ending battle.

When you start with a smooth, shiny object, you are just setting yourself up for a disappointment. Of course, when you buy new, you have no choice. You don't want the factory to give you a head start on the inevitable like trendy jeans.

I got over that kind of stuff a long time ago. If the watch looks okay, but worn, why mess with it?

Now when serious damage occurs, that's when I would want want something done about it.

My preference has nothing at all to do with value, because my watches are priceless. Someone can sell them when I'm dead, if that's what the new owner chooses.

I should point out that I bought an Explorer II with a damaged bracelet and the seller deducted the appropriate amount and was selling it on a strap.

I asked if he still had the bracelet and he said that he did and that I was welcome to it at no charge.

That bracelet will eventually go in for a repair, perhaps when the watch is serviced or perhaps before.

This is a clear example of when a repair and a refinish is justifiable, according to my own values.

There are some small dings on my DJ that while hardly visible with the naked eye, will probably get repaired at some future date.

There are always exceptions

[EEpro]

Here's a subtle example I found in some listing photos. You either care or don't and that's fine

[trROLEX18]

There are two views on this matter I think. The first one argues that polishing decrease the value of the watch.
-People who argue that are technically right because especially on gold and platinium models the exact weight of precious metal decreases during the process.
-Also the technique and material Rolex delaer use is not the same with the ones in rolex factory. Most AD polishges the watch with far inferior quality. Some of ADs even get the service from outside sources , small scale watchmakers.
-Also there are people giving their beloved rolexes to the gold sellers for polishing. That is complete destruction of the watch. I think bad polish kills the look of the watch. It becomes too shiny and stciky. It becomes finger print magnet.
- Of course then there are serious old style collectors who thinks polishing a watch or making it appealing for user is killing the history of the watch. Because then they cannot see the marks and if they not see the scratch and marks then the watch becomes empty for them. Well....they are overreacting

-The other side of argument goes like if the watch is polished it look better. Obviosly these people have a point. Not every one like to see 3cm deep scratches on their timepiece that they paid 30k-40k.

I think both sides are right lol

[CFR]

I never get watches polished because I enjoy watching them age, getting their scratches and dings here and there. I once had a watchmaker who accidentally didn't follow that instruction and polished the watch, and I was really disappointed at what I got back. Yes, it looked like every other factory-fresh watch, but I didn't want a (generic) NIB-looking watch returned to me. I wanted MY watch back -- the same familiar-looking watch I left to be serviced. (Most) other people feel differently, of course -- especially those who aren't watch enthusiasts.

[Greglaw]

Originally Posted by padi56

Mainly because they have been brainwashed into thinking all polishing is bad by the likes of so called social media.But today Rolex watches get such a very very pampered life,you only got to read the posts on forum lately reporting what some quote as a huge ding.Which is the real world is mostly a very tiny ding easily rectified at normal routine service.Then there are those wanting to polish every time they see the slightest scratch,today there is a anti polish syndrome god knows why.

Best reply...albeit not a popular one amongst many here.

[ChugachEagle]

Lite polish with routine service at normal >7-10 yr intervals. I wear ALL of my watches and don’t give a crap what social media says I am supposed to do. I like my watches looking great and a lite polish every several years is of no concern to me.

[nickorette]

Could one not just polish a few times over a few decades and then have the case/bracelet replaced when things get too worn down?

[Tzachi]

Not.
And thats because in most cases the watch fine lines will be destroyed by the "skilled" watch maker at the RSC.

[BNA/LION]

I enjoy a nice light polish on a watch when needed and being serviced. I'm totally comfortable letting my CW21 Watch Maker do it because he is Awesome!